Here’s What Specialist Property Transcription Can Offer

Specialist Property Transcription

By Jack Day

 

Are you a chartered surveyor looking for transcription and related services? BackupTyping is here to help. We’ve been providing transcription services for chartered surveyors since 1999 and all of our typists have previously worked at senior levels within chartered surveying organisations.

We understand that the amount of support required can vary from one day to the next. Sometimes a report is needed urgently, while other work can wait until the following day. Our four turnaround options reflect this, with 2 Hour Urgent, Same Day, Overnight and 24 Hour services available depending on when you need the completed work.

With decades of experience in the field, here are some of the ways we support chartered surveyors with transcription, formatting and document production.

Our Experience

We have been working with chartered surveyors for decades. We work exclusively in the property field and all of our typists have worked at senior levels within chartered surveying organisations.

When it comes to transcription, we are fully aware of the specialist terminology used within chartered surveying. Whether it’s slang or jargon, we understand it and are ready to transcribe it accurately.

Our team is familiar with how surveyors communicate and the terminology commonly used within property reports. We are accustomed to various accents and dialects, which can be particularly useful when working with recorded dictation.

Our transcription services range from site notes to expert determinations and many other types of surveying documents. We work exclusively within the field and are committed to providing a quality service.

If you'd like to know more about how the process works, read our guide to audio transcription for chartered surveyors.

Our Work Rate

We work whenever you need us and are on standby when you don’t.

Whether you intend to use our services daily, monthly, annually or at any other frequency, we will provide our services.

Our four-tier system is designed to account for this. We offer an Urgent service with a two-hour turnaround, Same Day, Overnight and 24 Hour services, allowing you to choose the turnaround that suits each individual job.

Regardless of the selected timescale, we complete the transcription to the same standard.

We work at the pace you require, not the pace we prefer.

Our specialist focus is on supporting chartered surveyors and other property professionals. BackupTyping has been providing specialist property transcription and document production services since 1999.

Our Services

Below is a list of some of the documents we type and format daily.  This is not exhaustive:

For more information about the different levels of home surveys, read Jack Day's article Why You Should Get a HomeBuyer Report or Home Survey.

These are just some of the surveying documents our typists regularly work with.

More Than Transcription

In addition to transcription, we also provide formatting, reformatting and copy typing.

For formatting, we type the dictation into your company template and format the text as we go to ensure accurate transcription and presentation to your specification. This allows the document to be produced in the required format as part of the transcription process.

For reformatting, we restructure your report to fix issues such as inconsistent fonts and headings, numbering, excess lines and page breaks.

For copy typing, we can rapidly convert your pre-existing written documentation into a digitised, fully editable format. This can be particularly useful for scanned leases and other property documents that need to be recreated as editable Word files.

BackupTyping focuses on the customer first with our range of services and flexible turnaround options.

Report production involves considerably more than simply getting words onto a page. You can read more about the importance of professional report formatting.

Need More Information?

We have been providing property transcription and document production services since 1999, and our testimonials include feedback from both past and present clients.

Whether you need something back urgently within two hours, later the same day, overnight or within 24 hours, you can select the turnaround that suits the particular job. There is no requirement to use us every day. Some clients send regular work while others use us when workloads increase or additional support is needed.

You can find further information about our services, turnaround options and pricing throughout our website.

 

Here when you need us, on standby when you don’t.

BackupTyping has been working with chartered surveyors across the UK for over 20 years. If you’d like to try our service, contact us by email or call 020 7096 1663, and download our free dictation app to send your first job.

Transcription services for chartered surveyors

Jack Day's The Importance of Being Clear

By The Importance of Being Clear

by Jack Day

If you’re a chartered surveyor with any experience then you’re probably aware of the importance of quality dictation.  Your surveying results need to be recorded for transcription so it is vital to have a good grasp of how to dictate effectively.

As property surveyors are not always public speakers, the key principles of quality dictation may not have been explained during job training. So if you’re a chartered surveyor who’s unsure how to dictate effectively the required information, we’re here with some expert advice broken down into four key points.

Clarity

Before commencing dictation it is important to state the title and/or subject of the document at the beginning. This lets us know when the dictation formally starts and tells us the title and what to save the document as. Without having the title or subject spoken at the start, we may not have the correct name to save the file as.

After you’ve actually begun dictating, it is vital to remember to deliver the dictation clearly. Speak clearly and enunciate your words while maintaining a consistent volume and speed. Mumbling your dictation or speaking too softly can make it harder for us to determine what words we’re supposed to be transcribing.

Try to maintain a consistent volume and pace so the transcriber can keep up with the described content. Typists often work best when there’s a rhythm to maintain and this can be helped with consistent pacing and appropriate use of pauses and intonation to convey sentence and paragraph breaks.

To keep the recording itself clear, keep the microphone reasonably close but not touching and speak towards it, while following the guidance for the particular device or dictation app you are using. This helps prevent your voice from becoming too quiet or being drowned out by background noise.

It is also advised to dictate in a relatively quiet area to stop external noise from affecting the recording. When recording dictation for transcription, either do so within a quiet space or pause your recording during times of heightened noise.

Sitting next to the coffee steamer in a cafe, for example,  is generally not recommended.

Property typists are specialists at transcription, but they are not audio engineers or trained to decode scrambled messages.

Good quality audio also makes the transcription process considerably more efficient. You can read more about how the process works in What Is Audio Transcription for Chartered Surveyors?.

Specificity

When dictating, it is important to indicate what formatting will be used in the document. Though you may choose to entrust some of this to the transcribers, it is recommended that you specify formatting instructions as you dictate to help outline how the finished document is intended to look.

This can prove especially useful when dictating longer documents with many headings and multiple sections that need to be labelled.

When stating which sections are intended as headings, please say “heading” beforehand to signify this to the transcriber.

If you’re dictating a list, please structure it into numbers or bullet points and clearly indicate when each item in the list starts and ends. This can be done with a simple pause. This helps keep the listing order comprehensible in the audio and allows the typist to correctly format it.

While reciting the list, also be sure to fully enunciate the numbers to prevent the typist from potentially mishearing anything.

Clear instructions are particularly important when a dictated report needs to follow an established layout. We look at this further in Why Report Formatting Matters More Than Most Businesses Realise.

Jargon

When dictating the results of a property survey, you may come across words and phrases that are rarely used in other contexts. While property typists are already familiar with the jargon employed within their field, you may also need to dictate complex or uncommon terms.

If you have come across a term you are unfamiliar with or are listing names of streets, buildings or people that are spelled unusually or are difficult to pronounce, we would advise simply spelling the word out rather than risking it being misunderstood.

Property typists are familiar with the important terms used within chartered surveying and will understand most standard surveying terminology.

With names, addresses and unusual terms, however, it can be safer to spell them out. Mispronouncing or mishearing a name could result in inaccurate information appearing in the transcription.

As many names and titles in the English language are not spelled the same way they are pronounced or may use a different spelling than the standard version of the name, simply spelling out certain names can actually prove more effective for transcribers than speaking them as they’re pronounced.

When faced with dictating acronyms or abbreviations, it is generally better to say the full term the first time it is used, particularly if there is any possibility of ambiguity.

Collaboration

Property typing is by nature a collaborative effort, with the typists themselves transcribing the dictation sent to them by their clients. The final key principle of dictation within the field is therefore collaboration between the surveyor providing the dictation and the typist producing the document

As the dictator you are one part of the equation and can make adjustments to help the process work effectively.

In addition to providing formatting instructions, it is recommended to provide specific formatting and layout requirements in your brief and to provide a style guide where appropriate to ensure consistency between documents.

If later edits or revisions are desired, please provide clear instructions on what is to be altered from the original version - typists are not psychics who can predict what you want without it being said.

Continuing with the fact that this is a collaborative process, building a good relationship with your typists is highly recommended. A typist who becomes familiar with a client’s terminology, templates, preferences and working methods can provide a more consistent service.

This is also one of the advantages of using specialist property typists rather than treating transcription as a general administrative task. See Fee Earner or Typist? Why Outsourcing Typing Works.

When dictating sensitive or potentially confidential information it is even more important to know that appropriate confidentiality and security measures are in place. Sensitive information should be handled through secure systems and by people working under appropriate confidentiality obligations.

As the surveyor, you should also be confident that your communication is being sent through secure channels. If the information is meant to be secure, it is expected to remain that way.

A typist who is familiar with your company's approach to dictation will also generally produce quicker and more accurate results. While it is still advised to provide your typist with details of each document's specific style requirements and to indicate the formatting instructions within the recorded dictation, having a property typist who already knows your company's standard procedure for style and formatting can help expedite the transcription process.

Conclusion

In the beginning dictation can seem like a cumbersome or draining task, but hopefully following these steps will ensure that you find the process of recording speech a simpler and more rewarding task instead.

We have been providing property transcription for over 20 years and consider this guide to encompass the primary tenets of quality dictation for chartered surveyors.

Remember to speak with clarity, employ specificity, correctly use jargon and work in collaboration. Keep those four tenets in mind and we’re sure you’ll do great.

 

Here when you need us, on standby when you don’t.

BackupTyping has been working for chartered surveyors across the nation for over 20 years. If you’re interested in collaborating with experienced specialist property transcribers, contact us by email or 020 7096 1663 now and download our free dictation app to try our service for yourself.

BackupTyping Dictation App

Property Typing Jobs: Do You Have the Skills?

Fast Fingers? Property Typing Could Be the Job for You

 

What does it actually take to become a professional property typist?

Are you a fast and accurate typist? Do you like the idea of working from home rather than spending your mornings sitting in rush-hour traffic? If so, property typing could be worth considering.

Property typing involves turning audio dictation from chartered surveyors into accurate, professionally formatted documents. Building surveys, valuation reports, Schedules of Dilapidations, Schedules of Condition and site notes are just some of the documents you might encounter.

But listening and typing is only part of the job.

First Things First: Can You Type?

You need to be able to type quickly. At BackupTyping, our property typists are required to have a minimum typing speed of 80 words per minute.

But speed on its own isn't enough.

There isn't much point in typing 100 words per minute if you then spend the next half an hour correcting what you've written. Accuracy, spelling, grammar and attention to detail matter just as much.

You also need to be able to listen and type at the same time, recognise when something doesn't look or sound right and go back to the original audio when necessary.

A good property typist is fast. A very good property typist is fast and accurate.

You'll Need to Speak Surveyor

Not literally, of course, but property typing comes with its own vocabulary.

Chartered surveyors regularly use terminology that somebody without property experience may rarely encounter. Building elements, defects, construction methods, lease terminology and industry abbreviations can all appear within a single piece of dictation.

Knowing the terminology makes the job much easier. Instead of trying to work out what an unfamiliar word might be, an experienced property typist will often recognise it immediately from the context.

That's why property experience matters to us at BackupTyping. All of our typists have previously worked at senior levels within chartered surveying organisations.

If you're interested in the process from the surveyor's side, our guide to audio transcription for chartered surveyors explains how dictated reports become finished documents.

It's Not Just About the Words

Typing the words is only part of the job.

A surveyor doesn't generally want a great block of accurately typed text returned to them. They want a professional document they can actually use.

That could mean working with an existing company template, applying headings and numbering, formatting tables, inserting photographs, sorting out page breaks and following a client's house style.

A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word is essential. Depending on the work involved, familiarity with Excel and other Microsoft applications can also be useful.

That's where property typing goes beyond basic transcription. The job isn't necessarily finished when the last word has been typed.

You can read more about what is involved in professional report formatting.

What Equipment Do You Need?

The good news is that you don't need to turn your spare room into an office full of specialist equipment.

You will need a reliable computer or laptop, a good internet connection, the appropriate software and somewhere reasonably quiet to work.

A transcription foot pedal is also an important piece of equipment for a professional typist. It allows you to play, pause and rewind audio using your foot while your hands remain on the keyboard.

And, of Course, You Get to Work From Home

For many property typists, this is a big advantage.

There is no daily commute, no rush-hour traffic and no spending money simply to get to and from work. Your journey to work may consist of walking into another room and switching on your computer.

Remote property typing can also give you more control over your working day. Depending on your deadlines, you can often fit the work around children, appointments and other commitments.

But there is an important difference between flexible working and working whenever you fancy.

Flexible Doesn't Mean Deadline-Free

Property transcription can be time-sensitive.

At BackupTyping, our clients can choose 2 Hour Urgent, Same Day, Overnight or 24 Hour turnaround services. If you've accepted work that needs to be returned within a particular timeframe, that deadline matters.

Working remotely therefore requires self-discipline. Nobody needs to be standing over your shoulder, but the work still has to be completed accurately and on time.

You get flexibility, but you still have to get the work back when you said you would.

Is Property Typing for You?

Property typing isn't going to suit everybody.

If you hate sitting at a computer, find detailed documents tedious or don't enjoy listening carefully to audio, it probably isn't the obvious choice.

If you can type at least 80 words per minute, have a good eye for detail, are comfortable using Microsoft Word and enjoy working independently, you're already off to a good start.

Property experience is a big advantage. So is being the sort of person who spots that a heading is in the wrong font, a paragraph number has gone astray or a sentence you've just typed doesn't make sense in context.

So yes, fast fingers matter, but they're only part of it.

You need speed, accuracy, good Word skills, attention to detail and an understanding of the language used within the property industry. You also need to be organised enough to work independently and meet deadlines.

If all of that sounds like your kind of work, property typing could be worth a look.

Interested in Working With BackupTyping?

BackupTyping has specialised in property transcription and document production since 1999. Our typists work remotely and have previous senior level experience within chartered surveying organisations.

If you're an experienced property professional with excellent Microsoft Word skills and a typing speed of at least 80 words per minute, we'd be interested in hearing from you.

Contact BackupTyping to introduce yourself and tell us a little about your property experience and typing background.

 

Speech-to-Text in Surveying Right Now and Where It Still Falls Short

Speech to text is becoming part of everyday working life for surveyors.

Most people have tried it.  Some are using it regularly.  In many cases, it is already built into the tools they are using.

On the surface, it feels like a step forward.  You speak, the words appear and a report starts to take shape much more quickly than typing from scratch.

And to be fair, that part is true.

But what we are seeing more and more is this:

The report gets started quickly.  It just does not get finished as quickly as expected.

Where Speech-to-Text Works Well

Speech-to-text is genuinely useful for getting words down.

It works particularly well for:

  • First drafts
  • Site notes
  • Rough report content
  • Emails and internal communication

It removes the blank page problem.  You can talk through what you have seen on site and get it down immediately while it is still fresh.

For a lot of surveyors, that alone is a big improvement.

Where the Time Starts to Go

The part that tends to get underestimated is what happens next.

A speech-to-text report is rarely ready to send.

It usually needs:

  • Structuring
  • Formatting
  • Headings applied
  • Templates followed
  • Spacing corrected
  • Sections moved around
  • Errors picked up and corrected

Individually, none of these things feel like a big job.

Together, they add up.  If you have ever wondered how much time this actually takes, it is worth reading Fee Earner or Typist? to see how quickly it adds up.

We often hear the same thing:

“It was quick to dictate, but then I spent ages sorting it out.”

Templates Are Where It Gets Slower

Most surveying firms do not work from a blank document.

They have:

  • Set report templates
  • Branded layouts
  • Specific structures
  • Required wording in certain sections

Speech-to-text does not handle that particularly well.  This is where working with a specialist transcription servicemakes a noticeable difference, particularly when it comes to formatting structured property reports.

It gives you text but it does not place that text neatly into your template.  It does not structure a dilapidations schedule or a building survey in the way you need it.

So the job becomes:

Copy
Paste
Adjust
Reformat
Check

This is often where more time is lost than expected.

This Is Where We Tend to Come In

What we are seeing now is not a move away from transcription.

It is a shift in how it is used.

A lot of clients are doing exactly this:

  • Using speech-to-text to get a first draft down
  • Sending that draft to us
  • Having it turned into a properly formatted, ready-to-send document

If you want to see how this works in practice, take a look at What Is Audio Transcription for Chartered Surveyors.

It works well that way.

They still get the speed of dictation, but without the time spent formatting and fixing everything afterwards.

It Is Not Just About Typing

There is a difference between having words on a page and having a finished document.

A finished document is:

  • Structured correctly
  • In your template
  • Consistent with your other reports
  • Clear and easy to read
  • Ready to send to a client

That last part matters.

Most surveyors are not short on content.  They are short on time to turn that content into something presentable.

A Practical Way to Use Both

For most people, the best approach is not one or the other.

It is using both in a way that makes sense.

Speech-to-text for:

  • Getting content down quickly
  • Capturing thoughts on site

Professional transcription for:

  • Formatting
  • Structuring
  • Finalising documents
  • Making everything client-ready

That way, you are not doubling up your time.

Speech-to-text is improving and it will continue to improve.  It is a useful tool, especially for getting started.

But reports are not just about getting words down.  They are about producing something accurate, structured and professional.

That final step is usually the part that takes longer than expected.

If that is the bit that keeps getting pushed to the end of the day, or into the evening, it might be the part worth handing over.

If you want a straightforward way to dictate and have your reports come back ready to send, you can record on your phone and send it directly to us using our dictation app.  We will take care of the formatting, structure and final document so you can focus on your work.

Call us on 020 7096 1663 or email us.

BackupTyping is a chartered surveying specialist audio transcription and document production company working with a variety of clients from large corporations to small niche companies, all receiving the same high quality and fast service from a team of audio typists who worked at senior levels in chartered surveying organisations. 

Try us instantly with our FREE dictation app!

BackupTyping Dictation App built for clients of our specialist property transcription service to use at no charge or licence. Just dictate and send to us at the touch of a button!

Is Speech-to-Text Accurate Enough for Survey Reports?

Speech-to-text tools are now widely used across many industries.  They are quick, easy to access and, in many cases, already built into the devices people use every day.  On the surface, they seem like an obvious way to speed up report writing.  But when it comes to survey reports, accuracy is what really matters and that is where things need a closer look.

Where Speech-to-Text Works Well

To be fair, speech-to-text does have its place.

It works well for:

  • Quick notes
  • Internal messages
  • Short, informal content

If you are capturing a rough idea or sending a quick update, it can be very useful.  You speak, it types and you move on.

The problem starts when the content becomes more detailed, more technical and more important.

Where Accuracy Becomes a Problem

Survey reports are not simple documents.  They rely on detail, structure and correct terminology and this is where speech-to-text can struggle.

Technical terminology

Property reports are full of specific language.  Terms like “dilapidations”, “cornicing” or “Artex” are not always recognised correctly.

Even when the words are close, they are not always right and in a professional report, close is not good enough.

Numbers and measurements

Numbers are another common issue.

Something like:

  • 15,000 vs 50,000
  • 13 vs 30

can easily be misheard.  These are not small errors. They can completely change a valuation!

Real-world conditions

Most dictation does not happen in a quiet office.

Surveyors are often:

  • On-site
  • Outdoors
  • Moving between locations

Background noise, wind, and distance from the microphone all affect how well speech-to-text performs.  What sounds clear to you does not always translate clearly into text.  We can't always hear it either, but we will give it a very good go!

The Hidden Risk in Survey Reports

The biggest issue is not always obvious mistakes. It is the subtle ones.

A report can look fine at first glance, but when you read it properly, small errors start to appear.  A wrong word here, a missing phrase there. Over time, this affects the overall quality of the document.

Your reports are client-facing.  They represent your work and your professionalism.  Accuracy is not something you can afford to compromise on.

Time Cost vs Time Saved

Speech-to-text is often seen as a time-saving tool.

In reality, the process usually becomes:

  1. Dictate
  2. Read through
  3. Correct errors
  4. Fix formatting

By the time you have finished, the time saving is not always there.

With professional transcription, the process is simpler:

  1. Dictate
  2. Send
  3. Receive a completed document, formatted into your template and ready to send.

The difference is not just speed, it is how much extra work is required afterwards.

If you are weighing up where your time is best spent, it is worth reading Fee Earner or Typist? to see how quickly typing and correcting can add up.

We see quite a few clients using speech-to-text for the first draft and then sending it to us to turn into a properly formatted document.  It works well that way.

A Practical Approach

For many surveyors, the best approach is not choosing one or the other.

Speech-to-text can still be useful for:

  • Quick notes
  • Early drafts
  • Brief emails

But for structured, client-ready reports, professional transcription provides the accuracy and consistency needed.

If you want a clearer picture of how this works in practice, see What Is Audio Transcription for Chartered Surveyors.

Speech-to-text has improved, will continue to improve and can be a useful tool in the right situation, but for reports, where detail, structure and accuracy matter, it is not always enough on its own.

A professionally typed, clear, well-formatted document that is ready to send will always save more time in the long run.

If you want a simple way to dictate and get your reports back ready to use, you can record on your phone and send it directly to us using our dictation app.  We will take care of the typing, formatting and final document so you can focus on your work.  Call us on 020 7096 1663 or email us.

Professional Transcription Service or DIY?

What is the difference between typing yourself and a ‘professional’?

 

Also known as 'should I use professional transcription service or Fanny Ann down the road?'

If you learnt to type (on a typewriter – let’s not mention age here) it was considered a real skill as it was a bespoke vocation and not everyone knew how to do this.

With the emergence of computers ‘touch typists’ were in demand, non-typists would look in awe as their fingers quickly passed over a keyboard producing accurate documents at speed.

But with the advancement of technology, everyone now knows their QWERTY from their DVORAK and can find their way around a keyboard at varying speeds, even a two-finger user can probably produce fast words (teenagers these days are probably faster typists on mobile phones than a trained typist).

However, using a keyboard and typing are two different things.

Producing words at a fast speed is completely different from producing a well-formatted document.

Professional Documents

If you just need to type an email then formatting is not an issue but if you need even just a short report (let’s not even think about complex reports – well not just yet) the first thing an audio typist will think of is formatting, it’s better to put in place at the beginning than need to format later.

Setting up your document with ‘headings’ which can then be linked to a table of contents should it be needed can save time whilst taking no extra time.

Ensuring headers and footers are linked or unlinked, depending on the document, are all things that can be done with a click of a button whilst typing and are bread and butter for any professional typist.

After all, it is easier to amend a well-formatted document than to start formatting plain text.

Complex Reports

Now as promised, what about complex reports?

So, just dealing with Word because it is more commonly used.

If a mix and match of formatting styles have been used – single line space, one and a half, windows, orphans – the terminology in itself can make your head spin.

But if you know what you’re doing from the outset, you know what to look for it’s easy (like Sunday morning – and at BackupTyping we do work weekends), does the document have inbuilt styles?

If it does this makes all professionals do a little fist pump knowing they just need to follow the set styles.

But for the untrained eye rather than choosing a ‘section heading’, they will just bold the title.

If the inbuilt formatting styles haven’t been followed it could end up taking hours to format something which could be done at the press of a button (well maybe two or three).

 

Here at BackupTyping, we are not ‘just’ audio typists but experts in Word (and PowerPoint and Excel too).  Add to that our deep understanding and experience of the property industry and its unique terminology, then the answer to the question becomes clear.

For tips on good dictation that your typist will thank you for, check out How to dictate well – your typist will thank you!

 

 

BackupTyping provides a fast, accurate and experienced transcription for property professionals – saving you time and money. Call us on 020 7096 1663 to find out how we can help you.

How much is a transcription service?

How Much Does Transcription Cost?

Transcription companies generally all charge per minute of dictation time.

This gives you the ability to calculate your cost instantly.

How Transcription Pricing Works

There are different structures to charging with most offering a 24-hour turnaround of documents as a standard service with the added services of same-day and overnight – all charged at different dictation minute rates.

You do need to check out the pricing structure quite carefully though, as they can look the same until you check how quickly you are getting your documents returned.

Another important consideration when looking at transcription services is to check they specialise in your industry – this really can make the difference in how the service runs and definitely the quality of documents you get back.  This will ensure that outsourcing your typing works for you!

Here at BackupTyping we specialise in property transcription and believe that transcription costs should be clear and transparent to ensure the service remains a cost-efficient solution for our clients.  We look at it a bit differently.  As ex-property secretaries we have always worked on the basis that what is dictated that day needs to hit the postbox/email address that day, so our standard service is Same-Day, giving a quick transcription service.  We do also have an urgent, overnight and 24-hour service of course.

This gives you the ability to choose when you need a document back and know what that charge will be before you have sent it.

Find Out if Transcription is Cost-Effective for You

You will find a free trial generally available, probably with a maximum limit of dictation, allowing your organisation to test out a company so you can rest assured they are as good as they say are!  In practice, most clients are surprised how low the cost is compared to their own time.

We also offer copy typing and document formatting services.

With BackupTyping there are no sign up fees or any hidden costs.

To instantly see our transcription service prices click here.

 

BackupTyping provides a fast, accurate and experienced transcription for property professionals - saving you time and money. Call us on 020 7096 1663 to find out how we can help you.

Which Transcription Service? Specialist versus Non-Specialist

If you’ve looked into outsourcing transcription, you will have come across a wide range of providers.  Some cover multiple industries. Others specialise in just one.

So, which is the better option?

What Is a Specialist Transcription Service?

A specialist transcription service focuses on one particular industry and understands it well.

For example:

This means they are familiar with:

They do not need to learn as they go.

Why Industry Knowledge Matters

Transcription is not just about typing words it also involves understanding what is being said.

In the property sector, this can include:

A specialist transcription service will recognise these immediately - they will know what you mean without needing clarification, which makes the process quicker and more accurate.

Risks of Using a Non-Specialist

A non-specialist service may still be able to type your dictation, but there can be drawbacks.

These include:

This is something we see regularly when clients switch to us.  Often, the document has been typed correctly in parts but lacks the consistency and understanding needed for professional use.

If you are unsure what goes into producing a well-structured document, it is worth understanding the role of an audio typist and how much more is involved than simply typing.

Benefits of a Property-Focused Transcription Service

Using a specialist service in your industry offers clear advantages.

Accuracy from the Start: There is no need to explain terminology or correct misunderstandings.

Consistent Document Quality: Reports are formatted correctly and follow expected structures.

Faster Turnaround: Less time is spent questioning or second-guessing content.

Easier Workflow: You can dictate naturally, without worrying about how something could be interpreted.

At BackupTyping, our team has worked within the property industry for many years and we understand the types of documents you produce and the standards expected, which allows us to deliver work that is ready to use.

How to Choose the Right Transcription Provider

When selecting a transcription service, consider:

Choosing the right provider from the start will save time and avoid frustration later.

Conclusion

While many transcription services can type your dictation, not all will understand it.

A specialist transcription service offers greater accuracy, consistency and efficiency, particularly in technical industries such as property.  If you are looking for a reliable solution that fits seamlessly into your workflow, working with a specialist provider makes a clear difference.

For a broader understanding of how this fits into your day-to-day work, see our guide to audio transcription for chartered surveyors.

If you are preparing property reports and considering outsourcing transcription - you need a service that understands your industry, BackupTyping can help.  Send us your dictation and see the difference a specialist service can make.

BackupTyping provides a fast, accurate and experienced transcription for property professionals - saving you time and money. Call us on 020 7096 1663 to find out how we can help you.